Bridge of Orchy, Fort William and the Bridge of Oich

Thursday 28 August 2025

Nido's parked up on a CAMpRA (Campaign for Real Aires) aire at the Bridge of Oich, right next to the Caledonian Canal.  There are two pitches available on a first-come-first-served basis, with the payment of £10 made online via a QR code or their website.  It looks and feels like a French aire; in particular the canal is wide, like many of those in France, with plenty of diverse trees and undergrowth alongside.  The A82 runs within view over the swing bridge that's opened when a boat or ship want to pass through, as it did when we arrived.  So there's some road noise but I'm sure it'll quieten down later.

CAMpRA have been running a campaign for several years to persuade local communities, businesses and councils to set up a small aire in various parts of the UK, making the point that those who stay spend money in the local economy.  They've been quite successful and it's free to join to make use of their growing number of aires, which are all listed on the Search for Sites app.

We had a very quiet night's sleep at Grey Mare's Tail and drove north through some heavy rain., parking up at the NTS Geilston Gardens, on the banks of the Clyde between Dumbarton and Helensburgh.  We had some lunch and waited for the rain to ease so we could visit the gardens, but unfortunately it remained heavy, so we reluctantly drove off; a couple of umbrellas are now on the Nido shopping list!  We may be passing it on the way back down and will try again.

Driving north along the western bank of Loch Lomond, after a quick van service stop at Tarbet Pier, we carried on to Bridge of Orchy, where we turned off and drove along a single lane track for about 3 miles, which is part of the West Highland Way, complete with several teenage walkers carrying enormous rucksacks, no doubt 'enjoying' their Duke of Edinburgh task! Our park up was in a gravel car park close to Victoria Bridge.  We joined one van and another turned up later in the evening.  The rain had eased so we took Salty for a walk, with views over the misty hills and glens.  Back in the van, as evening approached the rain stopped, the clouds broke and we enjoyed some later evening sunshine.  This, along with no wind, brought out the midges but they weren't too bad.  

Today the rain eased at about 1100 as we arrived in Fort William.  We parked in the West End Car Park, which has ten large spots just for motorhomes; £3 for 4 hours or £5 for 10 hours parking, although no parking is allowed overnight between 2100 - 0800.  Salty had a walk and splash in the loch, before he enjoyed some me time in the van.  The high street was only a couple of minutes walk and is mainly pedestrianised.  After some shopping for a pair of trainers and a couple of brollies, we visited the West Highland Museum.  It's free with donations welcomed.  I particularly liked the section about the history of the Royal Marines training nearby during the Second World War and all the artefacts and information from the Jacobite period.

On the way back we stopped off at Nevis Bakery for a Scotch pie which went down well with a cup of tea back in the van, overlooking Loch Linnhe.  On the way out I drove to the Kilmallie Community Hall where they have set up a motorhome service point; very welcome and only a £5 donation.  Driving on we soon arrived at Bridge of Oich to pitch up for the night.  After our meal we took a walk along the canal, returning on the opposite bank after crossing at one of the lochs.  Time for a cup of tea now!